Kerry Kirchoff

Kerry Kirchoff, age 66, passed away on Thursday, June 4, 2026.

Kerry was born on February 24, 1960, to Elmer "Bud" and Darlene (Norenberg) Kirchoff. He attended the Beaver Dam School District, where he played football and graduated in 1978.

Kerry married Wendy Lehman and together they had two sons, Justin and Anthony “Tony.”

He worked many jobs throughout his life and was always a great provider. After starting out as a welder, he found himself working for the Wisconsin Department of Corrections in Waupun as a civilian employee, supervising work crews, plumbing, and eventually operating a power plant until retiring due to complications from Parkinson's disease in 2011, after 30 years of service. Kerry fought the disease for 21 years. With the help of Mike White, he worked hard to regain his ability to walk.

He was an avid hockey fan, coaching his sons and driving the Zamboni, as well as maintaining the Zamboni lounge. He also enjoyed his time coaching soccer.

On March 30, 1999, he married the love of his life, Kathy Howard Kwakkel. Together they shared 27 years of marriage. He became a wonderful stepfather to Kathy’s sons, Mike, Matt, and Marc, and an awesome grandpa to four granddaughters, Jocelyn, Ashley, Nikki, and Addisyn. He cherished time spent with them watching Spongebob, making his famous Cheeseburger Hamburger Helper, and teaching them to make a monkey face. Kerry enjoyed fishing, golfing, and hunting and was an avid trap shooter. He was an incredible woodworker, specializing in scroll saw pieces, which are shared by all of the family members.

Kerry will be deeply missed by his Ripon Senior Living family, to name a few: Makrae, Crystal, Rachel, Jordan, Courtney, Christian, Stephany, Kurt, Ben, and many more who have moved on, and especially his best friend, Jimmy.

He is survived by his loving wife, Kathy; sons, Justin and Anthony; stepson, Matthew (Kathleen) Kwakkel, sister, Cindy Felicki, sister and brother-in-law, Chris (Jeff) Baker; granddaughters, Jocelyn Kwakkel (Matt Jonet), Ashley (Connor) McLinn, Nichole Kwakkel, and Addisyn Kirchoff; great-granddaughter, Emryn Jonet; and further survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

He was an awesome man who loved everyone, loved by everyone, and would do anything for anyone and did.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer "Bud" and Darlene; stepsons, Marcus and Michael Kwakkel; his in-laws, John and Louise Howard; his fur friends, Butch, Patty, Sam, Buster, and Rueben; other aunts and uncles; and other beloved family members and friends.

Memorial services will be held on Thursday, June 11, 2026 at 11 am at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Waupun with Pastor Dennis Overlien officiating. Visitation will be held on Thursday at the church from 9:30 am until the time of service.

A special thank you to Ripon Senior Living staff for such wonderful care and love, and Moments Hospice for helping so much.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Waupun Area Animal Shelter.